After completing A Levels at Chenderit School in Banbury, Zoe Adams, 21, chose a 4 year Engineering Apprenticeship over a place at university. She is now in her second year at Jacobs Douwe Egberts in Banbury and enjoying every minute. The company are paying for Zoe to study part time for a foundation degree in Engineering at Birmingham Metropolitan College alongside her Apprenticeship. Zoe says: “My Apprenticeship allows me to develop a wide range of hands-on and business skills whilst studying towards higher education. I believe that Apprenticeships offer a great alternative to traditional education routes. You learn and develop through real life experiences and have the support of the company and its employees to help ensure your success.”

Employers value Apprenticeships as a way of creating a skilled workforce to meet their specific needs. Elaine Hodgin, Head of Sales & Marketing at Clarkson Evans says “Apprentice electricians are key to the success of Clarkson Evans in Oxfordshire. Our teams of electricians are wiring new homes throughout the county and our order book is booming. We offer excellent long-term career prospects for those with a natural knack for all things practical who want structured training and a job with higher than national earning average potential.”

The Oxfordshire Apprenticeships is packed with information, advice and news on the local scene, as well as a live feed of current vacancies. The Oxfordshire Apprenticeships team  organises road shows, popup ApprenticeSHOPS, careers events and more, and works with Apprenticeship Ambassadors to share real life experiences with people who are thinking about starting an Apprenticeship.